Deadline
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Categories
Entry Fees
Feature Screenplay Deadline: April 20 ($40)
Feature Screenplay Late Deadline: May 20 ($50)
Short Screenplay Deadline: April 20 ($30)
Short Screenplay Late Deadline: May 20 ($40)
Teleplay Deadline: April 20 ($30)
Teleplay Late Deadline: May 20 ($40)
Prizes
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION PRIZES (ONE WINNER PER CATEGORY)
The Drama Award Winner Receives: $5,000 cash
The Comedy Winner Receives: $5,000 cash
The Horror Award Winner Receives: $2,500 cash (to be considered for this award, you must be entered in the Drama or Comedy categories)
The Sci-Fi Award Winner Receives: $2,500 cash (to be considered for this award, you must be entered in the Drama or Comedy categories)
The Short Screenplay Winner Receives: $1,000 cash
TELEPLAY COMPETITION AWARDS (ONE WINNER PER CATEGORY)
The Sitcom Spec Winner Receives: $1,000 cash
One-Hour Spec Winner Receives: $1,000 cash
The Sitcom Pilot Winner Receives: $1,000 cash
The One-Hour Pilot Winner Receives: $1,000 cash
Finalists in All Categories Receive: one complimentary Producers Badge to attend the Austin Film Festival and Conference (value $675).
All Semifinalists may purchase a Producer’s Badge at the discounted price of $200.
Description
THE ULTIMATE LAUNCH PAD
For over two decades, Austin Film Festival has been launching writers into their careers. This year more than ever, AFF celebrates its long and growing track record by creating a week that will change your life. With one of the most respected Screenplay and Teleplay competitions, AFF yanks newcomers from the isolation of their desks and catapults them into the bustling world of the film industry. Whether your dream is signing a contract, landing an agent, learning craft from an industry icon, or taking home the coveted Bronze Typewriter Award, you can’t win if you don’t enter.
NOT JUST A FILM FESTIVAL, BUT A CONFERENCE WITH A CULT FOLLOWING
The conference is the film industry’s best kept secret. Keeping the focus on craft, it’s an intense idea exchange among such stellar participants as John August, Cary Fukunaga, Jenny Lumet and John Ridley. Parties each night are famous (and infamous) for bringing these veteran creators in intimate contact with emerging writers and artists. Screenplay finalists and winners are presented alongside such luminaries as 2014’s Jim Sheridan, Matthew Weiner and Edward Zwick at the highly anticipated Awards Luncheon ceremony. Second rounders, semifinalists, and finalists proudly show off registration badges designating their placement in the competition. By submitting a script, you tap into this legendary meetup of pros and peers.
YOU’LL GET BACK WAY MORE THAN YOU BARGAINED FOR
Not only do all entrants receive registration discounts, but also bigger discounts when you place in the competition. Unlike at other screenplay competitions, your experience with AFF doesn’t end after making the first cut. Second rounders (the esteemed top 10-12% in each category), semifinalists, and finalists attend special panels, programmed specifically for them and closed to regular badge holders.
2014 second rounders attended workshops like “The Cold Open” with TV producers Stephen Falk (Weeds, Orange is the New Black) and Christine Boylan (Once Upon a Time, Constantine), where pre-selected second round scripts were read, evaluated and refined to provide insight on what producers look for in those crucial first few pages of a pilot script. Second rounders also participated in our popular “Industry Lunches,” where pre-selected writers picked the brains of industry pros, including Adam Kolbrenner (co-founder of Madhouse Entertainment), Phil Rosenthal (creator of Everybody Loves Raymond) and Tom Schulman (writer of Dead Poets Society, What About Bob?).
At the Semifinalist level and above, judges—including professional writers and representatives from major studios and production companies—actively seek scripts and talent. In past years, these judges have included representatives from Oasis Media Group, Mosaic Media, ABC Studios, Paradigm Agency, Di Bonaventura Pictures, Kopelson Entertainment, Nickelodeon, Escape Artists at Sony, DreamWorks, Pixar and more.
What’s more, all 2015 second rounders, semifinalists, and finalists will receive vital industry feedback for their entry scripts. Semifinalists and finalists’ loglines and contact information will also be included in the annual Producer’s Book, distributed to all attending AFF panelists as well as over 400 agents, managers, producers and other industry professionals.
SIGNING DEALS AND LAUNCHING PROJECTS
AFF’s Screenplay & Teleplay Competition is one of the most acclaimed contests within the industry for launching the careers of up-and-coming writers. It’s no surprise that past competition entrants have signed with major agencies and production companies and have had their scripts optioned, acquired and produced.
QUESTIONS?
For a list of our Frequently Asked Questions, go here: http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/festivalandconference/faq/. If you have any other specific questions, feel free to call (1.800.310.3378) or email [email protected].
Contact Information
1-800-310-FEST
(512) 478-4795 1801 Salina St.
Austin, TX 78702
[email protected]